Probiotic Vaginal Suppositories

Friendly bacteria play a large role in the health of both intestines and vagina. The urinary tract is also affected by the types of bacteria in these two areas, because unfriendly bacteria can migrate to the urethra and cause urinary tract infections.

Probiotic products provide a dose of good bacteria that normally live in healthy individuals. Oral probiotics can easily reach the intestines, but what about the vagina?

In healthy women, Lactobacillus bacteria dominate the vaginal flora. There are many different species, and multiple strains of each one. A group in Spain found that the common species L. crispatus, L. jensenii, and L. gasseri all have potential for probiotic development. Lactobacillus crispatus vaginal suppositories have been tested in clinical trials, and were both safe and effective at preventing recurring urinary tract infections.

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My last Pap smear report included the comment, “Bacteria (coccobacilli) present morphologically consistent with shift in vaginal flora, i.e., bacterial vaginosis.” At the time, I had no symptoms, so my doctor did not recommend treatment. But since then I've had some mild burning sensations, not enough to send me back to the doctor's office, but enough to raise my interest in probiotics for the vagina.

I found one brand, Candaclear™, on the Internet. The web sites warn that this product is heat sensitive, and special shipping arrangements have to be made for delivery in hot weather. So I found a local specialty pharmacy that carries it.

The labeling is a bit cryptic. The ingredients are listed in a box that looks like a dietary product label. The directions say, “Administer one lozenge per day.” Each lozenge contains two strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus plus 2.1 milligrams of garlic concentrate and 0.1 milligram of oil of rose absolute. I assume this qualifies Candaclear™ for marketing as a dietary supplement. Lactobacillus acidophilus is the same bacteria found in yogurt. But the package does include a handy tool, which is easy to figure out by any woman who has ever used a tampon.

I have recently tried Physioflor, when I was getting the beasty yeasties while travelling in the hot weather of southern France. I have tried every commercial product sold in Canada and nothing worked. I have also tried many home remedies: tea tree oil, garlic, etc. They offer very short term relief but the yeast comes back. This is decades of trials, as I'm not a young woman anymore. I know my triggers, which I try to control, such as limiting fruit, white sugar, and dairy, but I also use to get an aggressive flare up before and after my period. Anyways, when I picked up the Physioflor product from a french pharmacy I had very low expectations that it would work. I chose it because I had never heard of Lactobacillus crispatus. It worked really well, and I tried to pick up some boxes in other countries in Europe but couldn't find it. I am going to try to buy it online, but it'll be a lot more than the 8 euros I paid in May 2017.

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Probiostat is a self stable vaginal probiotic indicated by HEALTH CANADA for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. It also has L casei which rids the undesirable odour of a infection. It comes with a sterile applicator and includes 10 days of therapy.
Avail in Canada and the USA

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Have you tried the Lady Soma Probiotics? I was recommended by my gynecologist (who is a woman) and it is the best probiotic I have ever tried. Produces great results even taking only one per day. The only Con is that it is almost impossible to find ......their website (not amazon anymore) is the only place that I have been able to find it lately and even here it is in and out of stock

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I have tried FloraFemme and it worked like a charm. It is a suppository, not a pill. It has a whole lot more CFUs (the stuff that makes it work) than other kinds) and works really fast. I read that the kind you swallow don't work as well because your stomach acid eats up all of the "good stuff." You can still get it on Amazon.com.

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I have used Rephresh and I think it is helpful. I also take femodophilus which there have been studies done to show it is effective. It is a refrigerated probiotic. I believe those needing to be kept cold are better.

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Thank you. Also, has anyone on this site used the products RepHresh ( a vaginal gel for re-acidifying the vagina) or RepHresh-B (a probiotic supplement with the strains of lactobacillus that live happily in the vagina, which I can't remember the names of ).

We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.